A Convenient Procedure for the Formation of Enol Acetates Under Basic Conditions

Abstract

In connection with several different synthetic projects we have had occasion to look for effective methods for the synthesis of enol acetates under basic conditions. The classical method¹ involving acetic anhydride and sodium or potassium acetate generally provides average yields at best, and sometimes very poor yields. In searching for more effective alternatives, we have found several which work well for specific compounds, and one method which gives yields superior to the reported literature yields in all cases but one that we have examined. We wish to report briefly on that method.